Week 15: April 27th

This week I finished up the demo for my lesson despite having a fair amount of technical difficulties and am working on finishing up our Practicum Portfolios along with the rest of my finals. This week is going to be a lot trying to get everything done but I cannot seem to find the capacity to get moving. This semester has just gone by so fast and I feel like I have forgot what real school feels like because this still doesn’t entirely feel real and the semester is almost over. The end of a semester has never made me feel this exhausted and I’m just trying to get through finals and hopefully after that things will feel a little easier.

Week 14: April 20th

Result from Anavi’s Lesson. I’m putting this on my fridge!

This week in putting the final touches on our lesson plans, we met in small groups and went over plans for our final lessons. My group included Anavi, Shaelynn, and myself and aside from hearing about everyone’s’ wonderful projects, we got to participate in Anavi’s lesson which was not only really fun, it also helped me personify a fear of mine which was really cool and I’m including a picture of what I drew because I think, for starting with a fear, I created something really cute through this project and I am so excited to hear about how it goes for Anavi! As for my lesson plan, I still have to film the lesson which I am hoping to get done on Monday and get it to Lynda and Jes by Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the editing process. As for the rest of my semester outside of practicum, I am still having a hard time focusing on schoolwork and I don’t see that getting much better in the next two weeks so I’m still just taking things one day at a time and I’m really grateful to have such supportive and understanding instructors.

Week 13: April 13th

This week, I started formulating a lesson plan for Avivo around dual self-portraits and depicting how one portrays themselves versus how they see their inner selves, and through doing this, I started painting again even if it was only to do the lesson plan myself before actually filming it and unfortunately as of writing this, I do not have a picture because it’s only about half-finished. I also signed up for classes which was exciting but it’s hard to think about next semester in the midst of struggling to get through this one. That is about the only art-related thing I’ve done this week so other than that I’ve been trying to do more self-care related thing like skincare and journaling which have both been helping but I still find it very hard to focus on my actual school work which is something I haven’t struggled with since high school. I find I get easily distracted which is especially hard to avoid now that everything is online and being away from a computer to do school work is unavoidable. I’ve just been taking one day at a time and just trying to get things done.

Week 12: April 6th

Now that classes have been in session for about two weeks now, I’m starting to get back into a schedule. I still have mixed feelings about having classes online but they are a reason to get dressed and get things done. I still haven’t done much art making aside from sanding down an old painting, but since my practice is heavily based in self care and coping, I think I will start using these journal entries to share what has been working for me in keeping myself going in this time, and hopefully building that up to making art again. Lately, what has been the most helpful for me is making lists; sometimes just random lists. This started as something I had to do for my Professional Practice class when we were asked to figure out what we would need to start a professional working studio, which for me turned into an imaginary spree, but through having to do this I started making lists about what I need around my apartment especially now that I do not have an on-campus studio space. It’s a surprisingly nice distraction at the moment. I also want to switch up what I initially planned to teach at Avivo, and create a new project for them surrounding art as a coping mechanism, although I haven’t worked out the details yet. I’m still trying to get back into a routine and some days are better than others and I want to find a way to share something with others without sacrificing my well-being to get it done.

Week 11: March 30th

I feel as though it has been a long time since I have sat down to write one of these journals and even as I’m writing, I feel overwhelmed with emotion. I am still in Minneapolis, I live off-campus in a studio apartment by myself and have begun online classes again this past week. I have mixed feelings about these online classes; on the one hand, the social engagement that comes from video chatting and seeing everyone helps, yet, on the other hand, everything still feels very surreal and I still feel very isolated and removed from everyone else. One of my classes is not even doing video classes. My other classes are going okay, but it still all feels very surreal. I would be lying if I said I have been making art in this time as I have no painting-based classes and to make work right now seems like an impossible feat. I miss all the wonderful individuals I’ve worked with this semester at all my placements and I often find myself wondering how they are doing and I get really sad if I think about it too much. At this point, I just try to FaceTime my mom as much as possible so that I can see my nephew, I watched him take his first steps last night [Saturday 4/4] and hearing is laugh warms my heart. Hopefully, next week will be better and I send my love to everyone wherever you may be.

Week 8: March 9th

Avivo Artworks - Jes Reyes - Adults - 5 hours

Another marker drawing by a member

Another Progress Photo of Night Sky by a member

This week during Artworks, “Art and Thrive,” we continued to discuss selling artwork and the best way to let people know you’ve sold work; finding that medium between potentially bragging and not sharing that information at all. The group came to conclusion that there are appropriate ways to share that information in order to let people know your work does indeed sell, without becoming obnoxious. During open studio, many members worked on sign ideas for “Day on the Hill” at the Minnesota State Capitol, bring awareness to and advocating for mental health issues and funding. Other members continued to work on personal projects including a new marker drawing of sea creatures and progress on that lovely night sky painting. We also announced the workshop I have planned for early April and hopefully we are able to still make that happen considering present circumstances.

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Teen Residency Center - Carmen Elate - Middle School to High School Age - 3 hours over two days

This week during Carmen’s class, we began the lesson I planned for the students turning art into therapy. The first day I the students write 5 to 7 things in their sketchbooks that make them feel happy and supported. I then had them take colored pencils and assign each of their things a color and then assign themselves a color. They got this done a lot quicker than I had anticipated and so when they finished that, the students worked on their other assignments. The next day, we began painting! I began class by giving the students a quick demonstration on mixing colors. We then got their outlined figures out and had them begin by painting a circle in the center of the figure in the color they assigned to themselves. I then instructed them to paint the other items on their list in the colors they chose, telling them to think about how these things are important to them and where on themselves they feel that. As I walked around and asked them why they chose certain colors and why they chose to paint their items where they did, students shared really heartwarming stories about what is important to them. Neither group finished painting so we will continue the project next time I am there because I want to give the students enough time to really think about what makes them feel happy and supported. I am excited to see where it goes.

Week 7: March 2nd

Avivo Artworks - Jes Reyes - Adults - 5 hours

Night Sky by Artworks member

Sea House by a Artworks member

This week during the Artworks “Art and Thrive,” we started a new article by the same guy who wrote the previous one, this time about how to sell your artwork. Then during open studio, I got to meet some members I hadn’t previously met and see some different things people were working on. One member was working on a painting of a night sky, which is coming along great and another member made marker drawings of sea creatures. Overall, it was a fairly relaxing and productive open studio!

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Teen Residency Center - Carmen Elate - Middle School to High School - 3 hours over two days

One Student’s Animation Setup

In Carmen’s class, the students are still working on their animation projects. One student is making a space themed stop motion that I am really excited about! Also this week, some students got a little of track and turned model magic into the perfect stress toy! They took the white model magic and used a marker to color the clay to their liking and then added lotion to keep the clay soft and to prevent it from drying. It may not have been what the class was working on, but I think it was good that when they needed a break from the animation, they continued to do something creative that will end up being something beneficial for them to use. Next week I will be teaching my lesson plan and I am so excited to how it goes!

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Minneapolis Institute of Art - Angela Olson and Natalia Choi - All Ages - 13 hours over two days

Awesome Artistic Composition from Family Day!

This weekend, I fulfilled my shadowing hours over the course of two days at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The first day was an open studio with local artist, Papa Mbye, where guests were invited to add to a large collaborative mural. Lots of MCAD students stopped by since many of them know Papa from being around campus occasionally and it was such a great experience to get to work with him; he is so talented and an all around really nice guy. On Sunday was Family Day at the MIA and this month it was a special family day hosted by The Current Radio Station called “Rock the Cradle.” In Natalia’s absence, I got to work with Emily LeCrone and Victoria Meyers on the art activity for the day which was “Artful Compositions.” Essentially, participants received a piece of chipboard and their choice of colored paper to make an artful musical staff out of the variety of materials laid out on the tables including puff balls, stick-on gems, and glittery stickers. Most kids made whatever they wanted which was understandable and everyone had a blast! I’m kind of sad that I have fulfilled all my hours at the MIA because working with Angela, Natalia, Victoria, and Emily was so great that I hope I get a chance to come back and help out outside of practicum!

Collaborative Mural Facilitated by Papa Mbye

Week 6: February 24th

Avivo Artworks - Jes Reyes - Adults- 5 hours

Mask with Paper Clay

Koala Drawing

This week during the Artworks “Art and Thrive,” we reviewed everything we have discussed over the past few weeks as well as discussed how to get your artwork out there. We talked about exhibitions and showing in gallery spaces which, again, was really awesome considering this is what we have been discussing in my professional practice class. I was really glad I could share with the group more about the topic and tell them more about how to reach out to exhibition spaces. Then during open studio, a lot of members were working on some really cool pieces. One member was using homemade paper clay to cover these plastic masks, and she even taught me how she makes it, and it sounds surprisingly easy, which blew my mind. Another member was working on a drawing of a koala that he was making as a gift, and I helped him pick out some bright, fun colors to go along with it. I am also in the process of brainstorming ideas for the workshop I will be teaching there and I am super excited.

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Teen Residency Center - Carmen Elate - Middle School to High School - 4 hours over two days

In Carmen’s class this week, students continued working on animations, this time drawing in an app called Flipbook, which essentially lets the students make flip-book animations. They worked on these both Thursday and Friday and even though animation is something I have no knowledge of, I was able to help them sketch out certain scenes of the story they wanted to tell and help them brainstorm ideas for the moral behind their stories. I even got to start making one of my own, which was surprisingly not too complicated and was a lot of fun. Also on Friday, I stayed an extra hour and helped Carmen organize one of the supply closets which I found super fun because I’m weird and find organizing things enjoyable! Overall, it was a really fun week, and I can’t wait to see where everyone’s projects are going!

Week 5: February 17th

Teen Residency Center - Carmen Elate - Middle School to High School Age - 3 hours over two days

One student created a ghost stop-motion

This week, I was not at Avivo as it was closed for President’s Day however, in Carmen’s class, the students began exploring stop-motion animation on Thursday using clay and an iPad app. Now, I have no experience with stop-motion animation so I was nervous at first about not being much help to the students, but the students showed me a lot of what they were doing and how the program worked. I helped them set up and sculpt figures out of clay, but for the most part, the students were really into it and we talked a lot about what ideas they had for their longer stop-motion project they had coming up. On Friday, most students continued to work on their stop-motion projects while others wanted to work on their weekly sketchbook assignments.  They will be working on their animations for a few more weeks until I plan my lesson for them and I’m excited to see where the students go with their projects. 

Week 4: February 10th

Avivo Artworks Residency - Jes Reyes - Adults - 5 hours

Painting by an Artworks Member

This week at Avivo, I again sat in on “Art and Thrive” where we had an open discussion on the business side of being a professional artist. There was lots of discussion on taxes, inventory and cost tracking, having a web presence; essentially all the logistics that go on behind the scenes of being a professional artist. I was really excited to share my input with the group since these are the topics we have been discussing in my professional practice class. After that, the open studio started and there was a lot more activity going on in comparison to last week which was exciting. I helped a member with another painting, picking out colors with him and a collective member showed me how to get a really nice glossy surface using glue! I feel like Artworks members have been teaching me new things every week and it has been really exciting. 

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Teen Residency Center - Carmen Elate - Middle School to High School Age - 3 hours over two days

Valentines I made for the students

On Thursday, I planned a small Valentine’s Day project for the students. I brought in a bunch of colored card-stock, some cutout heart stencils I made, and some extra chipboard in case they wanted to make their own stencils. The first group had a great time making valentines and I’ve included some photos, located above, of what they made, while the other group was not as interested in making valentines so they worked on their sketchbook assignments. Overall, we had a fun time and it was really interesting to see all the different approaches students took with their valentines. On Friday, I brought in valentines that I made for everyone and we had a fun day working on their sketchbook assignments and personal projects. It was a really fun Valentine’s Day and I’m excited to do more fun activities with the students.

Week 3: February 3rd

Painting of Venice by an Artworks member

Avivo Artworks Residency - Jes Reyes - Adults - 5 hours

This week I started working Avivo’s Open Studios where Artworks members and collective members can come into the studio and work on art. Prior to the open studio, I got to sit in on “Art and Thrive” which happens weekly on Mondays and essentially is an open group discussion on what being a working professional artist looks like. This week we talked about consistency in an artist’s body of work and group members went around and shared what that looks like to them. After “Art and Thrive,” open studio began and members came and went as the day went on. I walked around and asked members what they were working on and even helped one member work out how to paint the sky in their painting. It was really exciting to see what everyone was working on and offer advice in any way I could.

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Teen Residency Center - Carmen Elate - Middle School to High School Age - 3 hours over two days

The Squirrel In Question

On Thursday and Friday morning, I was at the Teen Residency Center. The morning art classes are split up into two sections: one group at 8:45 and another at 9:30. Both days the students worked on and shared their altered books that they started with fellow MCAD Teaching Artist, Sarah Maude-Griffin, which contained collages, photos, poetry, and more. One student was really interested in this squirrel outside the window, so I took a photo of it from him to email to Carmen so he could add it to his collection. Another student shared with me some of the poetry they writes and I helped them paint a sunset. For next week, I am planning a mini-valentines day activity to do with them and it’s going to be really fun, so there is more to come.

Week 2: January 27th: Avivo

Avivo Artworks Residency - Jes Reyes - Adults - 7.5 Hours

This week I started my placement at Avivo where we went to a special workshop run by COMPAS that focused on inclusivity and making classrooms more accessible to individuals with disabilities. The event began with a presentation conducted by three teaching artists from COMPAS and Upstream Arts, Dupree Edwards, Dylan Fresco, and Lindsey Samples. The presentation gave tips on how to make a classroom environment more accessible to people with disabilities and integrated this presentation with a number of activities that encouraged audience members to get up, participate, and get to know the people around them. After the presentation, we were served lunch, (falafels: something I’ve never had before and I highly recommend), and prepared for the upcoming panel discussion. During this panel, several organizations, including Avivo, took turns sharing their organizations’ missions and who their organizations help. Afterward, they answered questions from the audience and then broke to do participate in a variety of art-making activities including a drum circle and a photography scavenger hunt bingo game. 

All in all, it was a very eventful day where I got to learn a lot about how to make an environment more inclusive for everyone and got to do a lot of fun activities with new people. I am really glad I got a chance to go to this special event with Avivo and I’m excited to jump right into the classroom for the full day next week.

Week 1: January 20th: Setting Up Placements

This first week, I met with both of my residencies and my shadowing placement to set up a schedule for the semester. I will be spending 30-35 hours in each residency and 10-15 hours in my shadowing placement. 

My first residency is at Avivo Artworks where I will be working with Jes Reyes during their open studios on Mondays from 12:30 pm to 4 pm. Through this placement, I will be working with adults of all ages and will eventually get to teach a project to the group. My second residency is at Volunteers of America’s Residential Treatment Center with Carmen Elate; aiding her in her teen art classes on Thursday and Friday mornings from 8:45 am to 10:15 am where I will also be teaching a lesson at some point in the semester. My shadowing placement will be at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and I will be filling those hours during the Saturday Open Studio and the Sunday Family Day events where I will be working with Angela Olsen and Natalia Choi as well as a number of teaching artists and visiting artists. 

Overall, I am looking forward to being able to work with individuals of all ages this semester and am so excited to learn and work alongside these great teaching artists. I cannot wait to start getting into these placements and start teaching!